COOT. 99 



down. They are very powerful and strong on the wing, though 

 they seem to dislike getting up, and are at times seen at a 

 considerable height, and make extended migrations. In flight 

 they carry the legs stretched out behind them. If alarmed 

 to get up from the water, they scurry and flap along, the 

 head and neck straight out, and their feet pattering upon 

 the surface, and a large number together make a very con- 

 siderable noise. They move about on dry land actively and 

 well, and are said to be able to perch on trees, but prefer 

 to keep, which they mostly do, on the other element. 



'When the bird is by chance seen to walk on the ground,' 

 says Meyer, 'its appearance is not very elegant, owing to the 

 formation and backward position of the legs, and the attitude 

 it necessarily requires to keeps its balance, which is by 

 carrying its breast high, back arched, and tail lowered.' They 

 are said to make use of their feet as weapons of defence, if 

 attacked .at close quarters* They roost at night either on a 

 congeries of rushes in the middle of a piece of water, at a 

 small distance from the land, or ascend some height or mount 

 into a tree, which they do with ease and readiness. 



They will readily feed on grass if other food be scarce; 

 grain they devour with avidity. Small fish, aquatic insects, 

 and water-plants form their ordinary supplies; and they also 

 pick the buds, blossoms, and seeds of different plants, and 

 corn, too, when seeking food at night on the land. In the 

 early part of the year, when the plants that have their roots^ 

 below the water have not as yet reached the surface, these 

 birds, acting on the principle that 'if the mountain will not 

 come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain,' are 

 in the habit of frequently diving to procure them, where they 

 only then can be procured. They remain a considerable time 

 under water in search of food. 



The call is only a harsh wild 'crew,' or 'kew' uttered either 

 singly or several times in succession. This is the similitude 

 of it as given by Meyer; . but it is rarely indeed that the 

 note of any bird can be properly expressed in the syllabic 

 form. The young keep up a constant noise, unless any one 

 approach, when they instantly become still. 



The nest, not. un frequently deferred to be made until May, 

 is a large structure, and, though of rough workmanship, very 

 strong in its composition, so as to keep the eggs dry, albeit 

 in such close proximity to water. It is built by the edges 

 of islands, in, or by the borders of lakes, ponds, and rivers., 



